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Forum History

 

The Forum was established by the Third Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe  (Warsaw, May 2005), to strengthen democracy, political freedoms and citizens' participation.

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Forum previous sessions

2011

(Limassol, Cyprus, October)

Interdependence of democracy and social cohesion.

New: Proceedings

"Radical measures taken in many countries to try to balance public budgets are both necessary and understandable†but  “Countries are running a high risk of seriously undermining the European model of social cohesion.† declared Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjorn Jagland while opening the Cyprus Forum.

2010

(Yerevan, October)

Perspectives 2020 Democracy in Europe - Principles and Challenges

Proceedings

 

''The Council of Europe has a unique strategic role to play in strengthening good democratic governance at all levels in the European space''. Democracy, or rather good democratic governance, is now not only intrinsically linked to the respect of human rights but is also recognised as the most effective form of governance to ensure stability, sustainability and well-being.

 That was the main message of the 2010 Forum.

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2009

(Kyiv, October)

Electoral systems: strengthening democracy in the 21st century

(Proceedings)

 "In a genuine democracy, the citizen is sovereign and the voter decides" - that was the main message of the 2009 Forum, which highlighted the need for greater public involvement, with a view to increasing voter turnout and ensuring that all stages of public life are democratic..

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2008

(Madrid, October)

"E-democracy: who dares?"

 

The discussions addressed the impact of information and communication technologies (ICTs) on democracy.

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2007

(Stockholm, June)

"Power and empowerment - The interdependence of democracy and human rights"

 

This event addressed issues such as the role and responsibilities of the opposition, representative democracy at the local and regional level, empowerment of the individual and non-discrimination, respect for freedom of expression and association for civil society, and fostering democracy, human rights and social networks.

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2006

(Moscow, October)

"The role of political parties in the building of democracy"

 

The Forum reflected on  the role and responsibilities of political parties in finding democratic solutions to contemporary challenges, the interaction between political parties and with other actors in the democratic process, and the building and strengthening of democratic institutions.

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Launch meeting (Warsaw, November 2005)

"Citizens' participation"

 

 

The discussions addressed the state of contemporary democracy in Europe.

(...)

Previous projects

("Making

Democratic institutions work")

 
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      “E-Democracy, who dares?” - Council of Europe forum in Madrid to assess the potential of e-democracy to increase participation

      Strasbourg, 08.10.2008 – Representatives of the 47 member states of the Council of Europe will meet in Madrid on 15-17 October in the 2008 Forum for the Future of Democracy to discuss the potential of the new information technologies to strengthen democracy and increase participation.

      The forum, held under the theme “E-democracy, who dares?”, will be structured in six parallel workshops: e-participation, e-participation at local level, ICT in electoral processes, e-inclusion, e-democracy from the grassroots and regulatory context.

      Among other issues the participants will discuss the role of e-activism and e-campaigning which have boomed in the last years and are becoming a key dimension of political life. They will also assess recent developments and challenges on e-voting.

      The Forum will be opened at 16.00 p.m. on Wednesday 15 October by Lluis Maria de Puig, president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Terry Davis, Secretary General, Yavuz Mildon, president of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, and Christer Hallerbyr, State Secretary of the Ministry of Integration and Gender Equality of Sweden, representing the Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

      The meeting is organised by the Council of Europe in cooperation with the Spanish Public Administration Ministry and the support of the City of Madrid. The forum will take place at the Palacio de Congresos Municipal in Madrid and is open to the press. The Forum’s conclusions will be presented by the general rapporteurs on Friday 17 October at 11.00 a.m.

      Accreditation requests should be sent to jaime.rodriguez@coe.int

      ***

      Background note: The Forum for the Future of Democracy, which is organised every year by the Council of Europe, aims at strengthening political freedoms and citizen’s participation. It was created in 2005 by the Council of Europe member states due to signs of growing political disaffection and declining turnout in elections. Forum for the Future of Democracy website

      Press contact:
      Jaime Rodríguez, Tel. +33 (0) 390 21 47 04; Mob. +33 (0) 689 99 50 42, jaime.rodriguez@coe.int

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